Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to assess the inter-trial reliability and construct validity (talented juniors vs. international adult players) of four wheelchair tennis field tests using inertial measurement units (IMUs). Twenty-one elite wheelchair tennis players completed four tests, which evaluate the sprinting and manoeuvrability abilities in wheelchair tennis. During all tests 3 IMUs were attached to both wheels and the frame of the athlete’s wheelchair. The IMUs enabled analysis of individual test dynamic characteristics, i.e. the linear/rotational velocity and acceleration data, as well as detected pushes. All tests showed high ICCs (0.95–0.99) for the inter-trial reliability for the IMU-based end times and also the construct validity was good, i.e. talented juniors could be discriminated from international adults. Also, velocities and accelerations during the tests could be consistently visualized, meaning that differences in test performance among participants could be designated. Within the experimental context, the field tests could be regarded as reliable and valid. With the use of IMUs it is possible to verify more detailed performance characteristics, visualize the test execution, as well as differentiate between a talented junior and international adult group and within individuals over time.
Highlights
Wheelchair tennis became part of the Paralympic Games in 1992 and has grown in interest ever since [1]
Wheelchair mobility performance of wheelchair tennis players wheelchair tennis and able-bodied tennis is the wheelchair, which provides an extra set of constraints onto the athlete [3]
The standard error of the mean (SEM) were low for all four tests
Summary
Wheelchair tennis became part of the Paralympic Games in 1992 and has grown in interest ever since [1]. The rules in wheelchair tennis are similar to the able-bodied variant, except that with each tennis stroke an additional ball bounce is permitted. Wheelchair mobility performance of wheelchair tennis players wheelchair tennis and able-bodied tennis is the wheelchair, which provides an extra set of constraints onto the athlete [3]. An important aspect of wheelchair sports is the wheelchair mobility performance, defined as the wheelchair-athlete ability on court [4]. Wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby are all dynamic wheelchair court sports, where the wheelchair, the wheelchair-athlete interface and the athlete’s ball skills and abilities together define the athlete’s performance [3]. The tennis racket is an important additional constraint of wheelchair tennis compared to other wheelchair sports, impacting the wheelchair mobility performance [5]
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